Rangers looking to end Bruins' home win streak at 7:30 p.m.

New York is 2-6-2 over their last 10 games, Boston has won 11 straight at home

Mar 27, 2019 | 5:33PM

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(Adam Hunger)

New York won 3-2 at Boston on Jan. 19 -- the Bruins' most recent regulation home defeat -- and 4-3 in a home shootout Feb. 6. But the Rangers enter amid a 2-7-5 stretch following Monday's 5-2 home loss to Pittsburgh.

Goals by youngsters Brendan Lemieux and Vinni Lettieri gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead late in the first period against the Penguins. However, New York managed 19 shots on goal over the next two periods after recording 16 in the first.

"First period, we were all over them," defenseman Brady Skjei told the Rangers' official website. "Just kind of got away from it.

"Got to move on from this -- another big game in Boston coming up."

New York's Alexandar Georgiev made 31 saves in his second straight start Monday, as the team continues to take a good look at its backup. He stopped 27 of 30 shots against Boston in February. >> Read More

'The focus is training and this summer. Now we go for it right here'

Nov 27, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a glove save against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is hoping to resume the season at some point in July or August, with a 24-team playoff field that would include the Rangers as the No. 11 seed taking on the No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-five qualifying round. And Henrik Lundqvist is getting ready.

"The focus is training and this summer. Now we go for it right here," Lundqvist said during a recent interview with Johan Rylander, translated by Forever Blueshirts, before shifting his attention toward the future. "I can sense that I have it in me - to go another few years over there in the NHL. I'm sure about it! It's clear that I'm thinking about how much I love hockey and how long I think I can continue, or even want to continue. I also realized that I can't look that far ahead."

Lundqvist, who was dominant during three of the Rangers' four wins against the Hurricanes during the regular season -- stopping 125 of 132 total shots -- could play a key role in that series in any playoff run by the Blueshirts.

Here are the Rangers' updated odds to win 2019-20 Stanley Cup

The Blueshirts will be part of the 24-team playoffs when the season resumes

Feb 21, 2020; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) reacts during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports (James Guillory)

Odds with a + in front show how much money would be won on a $100 bet. Odds with a - in front show how much money someone would have to wager to win $100.

When the 2019-20 NHL season was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Rangers were in position to make a run, but still on the outside looking in when it came to the playoffs.

Here's what NHL fans need to know about 2020 Draft Lottery

Devils have sixth best odds of landing top pick

By Alex Smith | May 26 | 7:51PM

And while determining a worthy Stanley Cup champion, and doing so in a safe and fair way, is the league's top priority, the NHL also announced how the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery will take place, and it's unlike any previous years.

The 2020 NHL Draft Lottery will determine the first 15 selections in the 2020 NHL Draft. Fifteen clubs will be entered into the lottery. The first seven teams will be those that failed to qualify for the 24-team playoff format, as they didn't rank in the top 12 of their conference.

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Everything you need to know about the NHL's official 24-team return plan, including what it means for Rangers

By Alex Smith | May 26 | 5:24PM

Here is everything you need to know from Bettman's announcement, including what it means for the Rangers moving forward…

As of Tuesday, the 2019-20 NHL regular season is officially complete. When play resumes, the top 12 teams in each conference (based on points percentage on the March 12 initial pause date) will make the playoffs, with the remaining seven teams entered straight into the NHL Draft Lottery.

There are still details to be finalized regarding the NHL's return to finish the 2019-20 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the format has been agreed upon. And it includes the Rangers.

If the NHL hammers everything out, the Rangers will return to the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-five opening round playoff series with a chance to advance from the round of 24 to the round of 16 -- where the top four seeds in each conference will be waiting.

Results are expected on Friday

By Alex Smith | May 21 | 11:01PM

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A resolution on how to resume the NHL season could be coming in the very near future.

Per a report from Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, the NHLPA on Thursday was in the process of taking a vote on the 24-team format to return to game action, and the results of the vote are expected on Friday.

Johnston also notes that if the vote passes, there are still plenty of details to be worked out.

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NHL reportedly making progress toward return that may or may not involve Rangers

The league could resume in a 24-team format

Feb 21, 2020; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) reacts during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports (James Guillory)

The NHL and NHLPA are making progress on agreeing to a 24-team format for the potential resumption of the 2019-20 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

According to LeBrun, the Return To Play Committee talked throughout the weekend, with more talks expected over the next few days.

The potential return outlined above wouldn't necessarily mean the immediate start of the playoffs. And with the exact format of the 24-team plan still not agreed upon, it remains unclear whether any potential return would include the Rangers.

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9 best Henrik Lundqvist moments from his Rangers career

A look back at some great moments from King Henrik

By James Ward | May 16 | 10:00AM

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It's hard to pick all of Henrik Lundqvist's best moments during his Rangers career, but here are nine that stood out over the course of the veteran goalie's 15 seasons with the Blueshirts.

1. On Nov. 26, 2005 against the Washington Capitals, Lundqvist stops 35 shots in regulation/overtime, and then holds up for 15 rounds in a shootout.

It is not clear whether the Rangers would make the playoffs under the 24-team plan

By Alex Smith | May 7 | 11:07PM

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The NHL, like most sports leagues, continues to discuss a number of different possibilities internally regarding how and when to resume play.

The latest reported NHL plan would see the league resume by going straight to a 24-team playoff.

According to Larry Brooks of The New York Post, the league has shifted its thinking away from trying to finish the season and is now planning on completing a 24-team playoff, which would include a best of three play-in round.

It's not yet known what kind of playoff format the league would use. The two options outlined by Brooks were going with either the top 12 teams in each conference (which would include the Rangers) or going with the top six teams in each division (which would exclude the Rangers).

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Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist talks about his 2019-20 season, what could be next: 'Nothing lasts forever'

"Nothing lasts forever, you have a goal image and dream, but one must also adapt to the surroundings and reality," Lundqvist continued. "This summer we will see what happens. I've always seen myself [playing for the] Rangers and [that lasting] for a very long time."

WNBA and NFL have both successfully held remote drafts

By Alex Smith | May 2 | 1:50PM

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It sounds like the NHL wants to keep the 2020 draft in June, as previously scheduled, but teams are not as keen on the idea.

According to Craig Custance of The Athletic, the league sent out a memo to clubs on Friday night explaining the benefits of keeping the draft in June, while noting that general managers are more in favor of finishing the season first and then having the draft -- whenever that may be.

As the NHL discusses scenarios for a potential resumption of the 2019-20 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, there was an initial report on Friday that the league seemed to be "pivoting" away from a plan that would've had teams play in four centralized locations.

But now, Larry Brooks of the New York Post (who also authored that initial story) is reporting that the league is now focused "squarely" on that four-arena hub idea.

The latest New York Post report states that teams raised concern about being able to play in their home arenas because of what that would mean for players, coaches and staff who would have to stay isolated in hotels and sepearated from their families for months.

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Rangers get the shaft in potential NHL playoff plan for 2019-20 season

The expanded playoffs would reward mediocrity, with the Blueshirts excluded

Feb 21, 2020; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) reacts during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports (James Guillory)

Under the NHL's "most popular" expanded playoff format that reportedly could be used if the league is unable to finish the regular season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the top six teams in each division would make the playoffs.

Among the teams missing the playoffs in that scenario, reported by Sportsnet, would be the Rangers (79 points).

When the season was paused, the Rangers -- who have played 70 games -- were two points back of the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets for the two Wild Card spots in the Eastern Conference.

A Rangers spokesperson told SNY that the report on the potential playoff format is untrue.

NHL could be looking at December start for 2020-21 season: report

League is discussing a full 82-game season

The NHL might be looking for ways to salvage their 2019-2020 season at the moment, but they're also thinking about what might happen with their 2020-21 season.

According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, the league has been discussing the possibility of delaying the start of the season as far as December. A November start time was also among the scenarios brought up.

Even with the season potentially starting in December, the NHL is hoping to get a full 82-game season in. Of course, there would have to be some sacrifices like no All-Star break, shorter Christmas break, and no bye weeks for every team.

Nothing has been finalized, but details continue to be discussed

Caldwell explained that the league is discussing a scenario with four or five "neutral sites with limited to no fans." Where those sites will be wasn't specified, and nothing has been finalized.

Like the other sports leagues, the NHL was drawing up situations that would make sense to resume play in. One, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, was to have the teams play in North Dakota. Grand Forks has hosted the 2016 World Under-18 tournament as well as the 2005 World Junior Championships, so big-time hockey has been played there before. Facilities and hotels are the issue, though.

'The person who committed this despicable act is in no way an NHL fan and is not welcome in the hockey community'

By Alex Smith | Apr 3 | 10:08PM

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K'Andre Miller (Jerome Miron)

The Rangers recently agreed to contract terms with K'Andre Miller, the team's first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

On Friday, the Rangers hosted a Zoom video call with the 20-year-old to help introduce him to the fans. During the call, someone in the video chat repeatedly posted a racial slur, flooding the chat and not allowing any other questions to come through.

Eventually, the NHL team was able to disable the chat entirely.

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NHL postpones a number of events, including June's 2020 Draft

Draft was scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal

By Alex Smith | Mar 25 | 6:06PM

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With the NHL still on pause with the rest of the sports world, the league announced a number of event postponements on Wednesday afternoon, including June's 2020 NHL Draft.

According to a league statement, the 2020 NHL Scouting Combine, the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Awards, and the 2020 NHL Draft, which were originally scheduled for June 1-6 in Buffalo, N.Y., June 18 in Las Vegas, and June 26-27 in Montreal, respectively, have all been postponed.

More details about the 2020 NHL Draft will be finalized and announced at a later date.

Before the NHL season was put on pause, Rangers forward Artemi Panarin was having an unbelievable first season in New York.

The left winger was third in the NHL in points with 95 while tied for second in assists with 63. With the Rangers surging towards a potential Wild Card spot (just two points back when the action was stopped), Panarin and Mika Zibanejad were leading the way.

Now, Panarin is like the rest of us: at home and doing a good job of practicing social distancing.

So what's an elite player like Panarin to do during a time like this? Turns out, the answer is work around the house.

Out of Office Replies: SNY's Julie Stewart-Binks gives her favorite New York athletes

Plus, Canadian currency explained

Mar 20 | 4:20PM

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SNY contributor Julie Stewart-Binks is here for our latest edition of "Out of Office Replies," explaining who her favorite current athletes are in New York, Canadian currency, and also showing off some impressive vocal skills.

Players are allowed to return home for now

In the NHL's latest guidelines in regards to the coronavirus pandemic, the league looked ahead to when they hope to return to action.

The CDC is strongly recommending that no gatherings of 50 or more people take place for the next eight weeks. So, in compliance with that, the league is hoping to open "a training camp period roughly 45 days into the 60-day period."

The league's notice added that once the self-quarantine period is over, allowing teams to open up their facilities for "scheduled and coordinated small groups for voluntary training and care" can occur.

By Ryan Morik | Mar 13 | 10:58PM

Miller was taken with the 22nd pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and played two seasons at the University of Wisonsin-Madison.

The 20-year old defenseman scored seven goals and dished out 11 assists for the Badgers this season. He also served as an alternate captain for Team USA in the World Juniors in Czech Republic, where the United States finished in sixth place.

"We're going to have to rely on others as to when it's safe, which is why people can speculate but nobody can predict with certainty (when the return will be)," Bettman said, according to Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com. "Nobody knows how long the hiatus may be. Nobody, even the medical community, can predict it with certainty. And what we're doing is, we're modeling every conceivable alternative so that when it's appropriate to go back to work, we will know what our options (are)."

Adding that the league doesn't know "what the pieces are yet," Bettman said they're trying to "model every conceivable alternative."

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Back pages in NYC react to suspension of major sports seasons due to coronavirus

The Mets, Yankees, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Knicks, and Nets are all paused

Mar 13 | 8:36AM

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Mar 24, 2018; New York, NY, USA; A general view of Madison Square Garden before a game between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports (Danny Wild)

In response to the coronavirus outbreak that has gripped the world -- with 1,701 known cases and 40 deaths in the United States as of Friday morning -- Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association were among the major sports leagues to suspend/pause operations over the last 48 hours.

Here's how the back pages in New York City reacted on Friday...

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NHL pauses season due to coronavirus, with hope to resume when 'appropriate and prudent'

The NBA suspended their season on Wednesday night

By Garrett Stepien & Danny Abriano | Mar 12 | 1:36PM

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After the NBA's decision Wednesday night to suspend the season due to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, the NHL followed suit Thursday afternoon.

The NHL announced before Thursday's games that it would be pausing the season with the hope of resuming games when "appropriate and prudent."

Mika Zibanejad becomes fastest to 40 goals in Rangers history

Has now scored in 11 of last 12 Ranger games

By Coby Green | Mar 10 | 10:09PM

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(Jerome Miron)

Mika Zibanejad continued his hot scoring streak Tuesday night as the Rangers faced the Dallas Stars, scoring a goal in the first period.

After getting the puck into the net Tuesday night, Zibanejad not only made it 10 goals in the last five games and 16 goals in 12 games, but he also managed to become the first Ranger since the 2014-2015 campaign to reach 40 goals in a season since Rick Nash scored 42 that year.

Zibanejad has now scored in 11 of the last 12 Ranger games, becoming the second Ranger to do so (Andy Bathgate in 1962-63). His run included a five-goal night in an overtime win over the Capitals last Thursday.

Rangers' Chris Kreider back on ice as he works way back from foot injury

Kreider suffered a broken foot on Feb. 28

Jan 21, 2020; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Just 10 days after suffering a broken foot against the Flyers, Rangers LW Chis Kreider was out of his protective boot and back on the ice on Tuesday.

The 22nd overall pick in 2018, Miller has been playing college hockey with Wisconsin

Mar 10 | 10:43AM

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K'Andre Miller (Jerome Miron)

The Rangers and K'Andre Miller are "engaged in dialogue" regarding the 2018 first-round pick leaving college to turn pro, per The Post's Larry Brooks.

Miller has been playing at Wisconsin, but after losing to Ohio State in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament, the defenseman seems to be thinking about the next chapter in his hockey life.

The 22nd overall pick in that 2018 NHL Draft, Miller would likely come in on an entry-level contract -- just like Michigan State F Patrick Khodorenko agreed to as a free agent on Tuesday -- and play for the Hartford Wolf Pack on a professional tryout.

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Rangers' Mika Zibanejad named NHL's First Star of the Week

Zibanejad had five-goal outing vs. Caps

By Nick Wojton | Mar 9 | 5:30PM

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Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad was named the NHL's First Star of the Week, for the week ending on March 8, by the league on Monday.

Zibanejad highlighted the league's play with seven goals in three games. On Thursday, Zibanejad netted five of those goals in a 6-5 overtime win versus the Washington Capitals, one of which was the game-winning goal.

Zibanejad was the first player since the Detroit Red Wings' Sergei Fedorov in 1996 to net five goals, one of which being the game-winning goal. Zibanejad and Fedorov are the only two players in league history to pull of that feat.

Forward became third Ranger ever to score five goals in a single game

By Alex Smith | Mar 5 | 10:29PM

In a back-and-forth, playoff-type game, Zibanejad scored his first goal in the first and his second goal in the second. In the third period, Zibanejad's hat-trick goal gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead, only to be answered by Alex Ovechkin to tie the game.

Then, in the game's final two minutes Zibanejad's fourth goal, a power-play tally, once again gave the Rangers a lead, only for Ovechkin to match again.

David Quinn says Rangers must 'keep focusing on ourselves' following third straight loss

Rangers fall to defending champs

By Alex Smith | Mar 3 | 11:14PM

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The Rangers came up on the short end of a 3-1 game against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, a game that head coach David Quinn said was played with a playoff-type tone.

"That was a big-boy hockey game right there," said Quinn. "There wasn't a lot of room out there. There was a playoff feel to it."

Taking on the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Rangers played the Blues to a 1-1 tie through the first two periods. But midway through the third, Brayden Schenn was able to score on a bad-angle, wraparound shot, as Alexandar Georgiev was taken by surprise, allowing the easy goal.

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WATCH: Rangers get set to host Blues on Tuesday

Blueshirts are coming off back-to-back losses to the Flyers

Mar 2 | 10:34PM

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After winning five straight games, the Rangers dropped back-to-back contests to the Flyers, allowing five goals in each of the two defeats.

As his team prepares to host the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, head coach David Quinn knows it's time to refocus.

"We've been through a tough stretch," Quinn said. "We've won a lot of hockey games lately. So don't get discouraged, kind of press the reset button and get back after it tomorrow. We had a good day today, I really liked our energy in practice."

"That's a tough team to play against," Mika Zibanejad said of the Blues." They won for a reason last year. You can tell when you play against them. It's a really good hockey team so we just have to be ready."

The Flyers beat the Rangers 5-3 on Sunday afternoon

By Colin Martin | Mar 1 | 6:25PM

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After the Rangers' 5-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon, veteran goalie Henrik Lundqvist talked to the media about how impressed he's been with the team in recent weeks.

"The most important thing now is to try to work hard, and be ready when you do get an opportunity," Lundqvist said. "We're still in a very interesting spot. I'm so impressed with the guys what they've done here over the last few weeks, and put this team in a position to maybe make the playoffs."

The Rangers are currently trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets by two points for the second wild-card spot.

The loss of Kreider, whom the team held on to at the trade deadline and signed to a seven-year extension, seemed to impact the team, as Philadelphia scored five straight goals after trailing 1-0 in the game's first few minutes.

Kreider signed a seven-year extension on Feb. 24

By Colin Martin | Feb 28 | 8:25PM

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Feb 21, 2020; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) reacts during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports (James Guillory)

Rangers left wing Chris Kreider suffered a fractured foot in the first period of Friday night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers and will not return, the team announced.

Trade rumors had been going on with Kreider for weeks, as the Rangers and his team couldn't find an agreement on an extension. Before he and the Rangers agreed to a deal, teams like the Bruins, Blues, Golden Knights, and Avalanche were among the reported eight teams interested in acquiring him.

More Panarin magic helps set a new franchise road record

By Alex Smith | Feb 26 | 12:31AM

Jean-Gabriel Pageau's Islanders debut was quite a memorable one, but it was overshadowed by another stellar Artemi Panarin effort as the Rangers topped the Islanders 4-3 in overtime on Long Island.

In his first game since being acquired in a deadline deal and then signed to a six-year extension with his new team, Pageau scored his 25th goal of the season and also was involved in a fight, picking up a game misconduct and leaving the loss early.

Henrik Lundqvist not thinking about Rangers' future yet: 'My focus is to work hard and be ready'

Henrik Lundqvist's future with the Rangers was up in the air as the NHL trade deadline approached on Monday, but that wasn't on his mind in the slightest.

Instead, the news of the car accident involving fellow goalie Igor Shesterkin and C Pavel Buchnevich was the main topic of concern for the Rangers at practice. Luckily, no one was severely injured, but team president John Davidson told reporters earlier that Shesterkin suffered a non-displaced rib fracture, while Buchnevich was considered day-to-day after being "quite shaken up."

"It's been a weird day today," Lundqvist said. "The energy, obviously, for different reasons but first concern is obviously how they feel and everything is under control. Yeah, it's scary always when you hear something like that."

Rangers trade D Brady Skjei to Hurricanes

New York receiving 2020 first-round pick

The NHL trade deadline has passed, but the Rangers got a deal done with the Hurricanes just in time.

Brady Skjei is headed to Carolina in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick, team president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton confirmed after the 3 p.m. deadline on Monday. Gorton said the NHL is obviously backed up trade processing at the moment, but the deal is set to go through soon.

The Hurricanes have Toronto's first-round pick in addition to their own, and will have the option of choosing which pick to send to the Rangers when the season is over.

Rangers reach seven-year extension with Chris Kreider

The former first-round pick remains in New York

Ahead of the NHL trade deadline on Monday, Rangers team president John Davidson announced a seven-year extension has been reached between both sides. According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the deal is worth $6.5 million per year.

Trade rumors have been swirling around Kreider for weeks now, as the Rangers and his team couldn't find an agreement on an extension with the 28-year-old set to be a free agent after the season.